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Posted: 3/1/2010 5:22:10 PM EDT
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Anybody know anything about these? Saw a couple cool ones on their webpage.
Any other brands that I should know about that are similar, better, etc ? I already have some benchmades, but I am looking for a unique fixed blade that isn't crazy expensive and is quality made. Thanks |
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Quoted: Ranger Knives. Better steel, cheaper price, custom made. Problem is I don't know if Justin is still selling them outside of Ontario Knives. Google "Ranger Knives" and give Justin a call. Very friendly fellow and really knows his stuff. Says 1095 steel on Ranger's website also. Is there some subtler difference? Justin seems like a really nice guy. I talked to him ages ago about having a knife made but never followed through. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
Ranger Knives. Better steel, cheaper price, custom made. Problem is I don't know if Justin is still selling them outside of Ontario Knives. Google "Ranger Knives" and give Justin a call. Very friendly fellow and really knows his stuff. Says 1095 steel on Ranger's website also. Is there some subtler difference? Justin seems like a really nice guy. I talked to him ages ago about having a knife made but never followed through. Well, that's a new change. 
He was using 5160 bearing steel...wonder what prompted that. FWIW, OP might want to look at Bark River Knife and Tool A1 if he's looking at Tops knives. Better steel and arguably better made. |
Thanks for the replies, and other suggestions. I actually pulled the trigger on one of their cheaper models just to see the craftsmanship as I suffer from a bad case of impulse buyitis 
I just like knives, don't really need anything hardcore to cut up a moose or gut some Taliban. I already have other knives I use for cutting up small game and folders for carrying around town. Just mainly want a cool / unique knife that is well made and can use for camping and other random uses that isn't a Rambo knife (even though I do like those to). |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: Ranger Knives. Better steel, cheaper price, custom made. Problem is I don't know if Justin is still selling them outside of Ontario Knives. Google "Ranger Knives" and give Justin a call. Very friendly fellow and really knows his stuff. Says 1095 steel on Ranger's website also. Is there some subtler difference? Justin seems like a really nice guy. I talked to him ages ago about having a knife made but never followed through. Well, that's a new change. He was using 5160 bearing steel...wonder what prompted that. FWIW, OP might want to look at Bark River Knife and Tool A1 if he's looking at Tops knives. Better steel and arguably better made. I think it's been 1095 for awhile, he's one of the names that always get thrown out on the knife forums "Why buy Grayman, you can get 1095 knives from Ranger, tops etc that don't look like shit and cost less" |
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1095 about the best common steel out there. It's not too expensive for the barstock, easier to work with and heat treat, but the biggest advantage is taking care of it in the field. Since most knives made of 1095 aren't super hard, most have hardness ratings in the upper 50's, it is easier to hone the blade in the field, hell with a rock or broken toilet if need be. Some of the newer stainless steels are great until you need to sharpen one from dull in the field with only a pocket stone. That is why Grayman, TOPS, Ranger, me and others use 1095 as a go to hard use blade steel. 1095 really shines when it is tempered to around 57 or 58 hardness. This is a good balance between edge holding and ease of maintenance.
I checked out TOPS's website yesterday and their prices don't seem to be that much better than Grayman. Yes Grayman's, and hell mine for that matter, are a bit rough around the edges, but we aren't making beauty queens we're making stuff for you to beat the shit out of day in and day out.. |
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I had a RAT-5 strapped to my GHB, sitting in the car, for over a year because I didn't know what else to do with it other than stick it in the basement. The one time I used it, just trying out some batoning, the finish wore off down to the bare metal in spots, the scales are are horribly shaped, they must have gone to the Glock school of grip design, don't know what they are now, but mine is no where near 1/4 inch thick and the metal seems a bit soft along the spine. It I were to guess I would say maybe 54-55 hrc along there. Which is great makes for a blade with a good amount of flex, not so good for batoning where the metal can deform.
So yeah, it's cheaper, like a glock is cheaper than an HK USP. |
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Quoted:
I had a RAT-5 strapped to my GHB, sitting in the car, for over a year because I didn't know what else to do with it other than stick it in the basement. The one time I used it, just trying out some batoning, the finish wore off down to the bare metal in spots, the scales are are horribly shaped, they must have gone to the Glock school of grip design, don't know what they are now, but mine is no where near 1/4 inch thick and the metal seems a bit soft along the spine. It I were to guess I would say maybe 54-55 hrc along there. Which is great makes for a blade with a good amount of flex, not so good for batoning where the metal can deform. So yeah, it's cheaper, like a glock is cheaper than an HK USP. Forgive my ignorance as I am new to the blade game but are you talking about the RAT Cutlery RC-5 or the one contracted by Ontario Knives? |
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Yeah, they have a metric shit ton of hard core followers, just didn't work out for me. Kinda like Glock is the cat's ass for some people and just plain ole ass for others.  Awesome. I just picked up mine and it seems good. Sharp edge, tight handle, the blade is definitely 1/4" thick and the finish is worn smooth from being used in some spots but still plenty there. I think you got a lemon.
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